Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Large landslide hits Arunachal Pradesh, leaving 16 dead and 6 missing

A large landslide triggered by four days of
heavy rainfall hit Laptap village in the Indian state of Arunachal
Pradesh on Tuesday afternoon, July 11, 2017, burying several homes and
leaving at least 16 people dead and 6 missing. Authorities are urging
residents to remain alert and move from vulnerable places.
The slide took place around 15:30 local time at Laptap village under
Toru circle, about 20 km (12.4 miles) away from Sagalee in Papum Pare
district.
"According to preliminary reports, a hill caved in on a human
settlement area trapping about two dozen-odd villagers. Locals have
retrieved 16 bodies from the area and about six more are reported to be
missing," Nabam Tuki, a local lawmaker, told Reuters.
"All roads leading to the village are cut off as there are heavy
landslides. Medical teams are having a tough time reaching the village.
We suspect the death toll would mount as no rescue effort is possible
now with the weather conditions very bad," he said following the
disaster.
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu expressed deep shock and grief over the incident and ordered urgent rescue operation to evacuate any survivor.
According to Additional Deputy Commissioner Jalash Pertin, chances of any survivor are dim, but rescue operation is on.

Khandu asked the administration to provide all necessary assistance
like food and medicine to the affected people and shift them to safer
locations.
"Arunachal Pradesh has been at the receiving end of nature’s fury
every year and the best people can do is avoid vulnerable places and
stop rampant air cutting and deforestation," he concluded.
Last week, over 150 people were trapped at Sagalee area following
massive landslides and were later rescued by Indian Air Force. During
the rescue mission, one IAF helicopter crashed, killing four people.